David Tolu Young, a standout swimmer from Fiji, has once again showcased his impressive talent by shattering his own national record in the 50-metre freestyle at the Australian National Swimming Trials in Adelaide. His remarkable time of 22.15 seconds improved upon his previous record of 22.29 seconds, underlining his rapid ascent in the sport.
Competing against a highly competitive field, Young finished fifth overall, a finish that garnered praise from Fiji swimming legend Carl Probert, who noted the significance of a Fijian athlete surpassing top Australian swimmers at their national trials. “It’s unheard of for a Fijian swimmer to be beating most of the Aussies at their own national trials,” Probert said, emphasizing the statement that Young’s performance has made for Fiji.
Young’s swift time would have placed him first in New Zealand, third in Canada, eighth in the USA, and fifth in Australia, reflecting the global standards he is meeting through his dedication and hard work. The young swimmer now turns his focus toward the upcoming 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau and the World Championships in Singapore set for next month.
This achievement follows his recent successes at the TYR Fort Lauderdale Pro Series, where he not only set a national record in the 100 metres freestyle, breaking a longstanding record held by Probert, but also excelled in the 50 metres butterfly and freestyle events.
As Tolu continues to break records and set new benchmarks, he symbolizes the growing potential of Fiji in the world swimming arena, inspiring upcoming athletes with his dedication to excellence. With such momentum, there is an optimistic outlook for Young’s future endeavors and for Fiji’s emergence in competitive swimming on the global stage.
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